Madeline Island

Immerse yourself in music in a breathtakingly beautiful setting.

MacPhail’s programming on Madeline Island, the largest island in the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior, includes a nationally acclaimed chamber music program, a retreat for adult string players, and a vocal retreat for adults 55+.

Make Plans to Be on Madeline Island This Summer

Madeline Island Chamber Music

Madeline Island Chamber Music nurtures the next generation of talented musicians through concentrated study and performance of chamber music in the breathtaking setting of historic Madeline Island, the largest of Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands. Extraordinarily talented young musicians from across the country come together each summer to learn from some of the most talented musicians in the country. Performances showcase both the students and teachers for the wider community.

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Join Us for One of Our Unique Retreats

Adult Strings Retreat: Aug 3-7

Are you an adult string player and a nature enthusiast? Then the Adult Strings Retreat on Madeline is perfect for you! During this retreat, adult recreational string players will have the opportunity to work with MacPhail’s outstanding string faculty members, connect with other adult students, and commune with the natural beauty of Madeline Island.

MacPhail Music for Life™ Singing Retreat: Aug 11-15

Our 5-day retreat offers the opportunity to explore your own instrument – your voice – in a serene and uplifting environment. Enjoy the escape to a slower pace of life on Madeline Island while focusing on your vocal development in a supportive setting.

MacPhail Northside Youth Orchestra Retreat on Madeline Island

MNYO will be attending their fourth Madeline Island Retreat July 30 – August 3, 2025.

“This has been the most fun and meaningful week of music I’ve ever had. We learned new pieces and had fun playing together. In our free time, we bonded while playing Mancala, Twister, and Uno. We swam in Lake Superior, which was FREEZING. We canoed. Then, before bed one night, my friends and I noticed the stars. We ended up star gazing for hours. It was surreal. The stars were so bright, like nothing we could’ve seen in the cities.”

– MacPhail Northside Youth Orchestra student, about their retreat to MacPhail on Madeline Island

About Madeline Island

Madeline Island is one of 22 islands in Lake Superior off the northwest tip of Wisconsin. Madeline and the other 21 uninhabited islands compose the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Fourteen miles long and three miles wide, Madeline is reached by car ferry from the mainland town of Bayfield, Wisconsin. The island is approximate 4-1/2 hours from the Twin Cities. For more information, visit the Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce website.

Transportation

The Madeline Island Ferry Line provides transportation between the picturesque towns of La Pointe and Bayfield. The 25-minute voyage provides spectacular views of the lake and several of the 22 Apostle Islands. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Schedule subject to change due to weather conditions. For ferry information and rates, visit MadFerry.com.

Facilities

MacPhail’s facilities are spread over 12 acres and include residential facilities for students and retreat participants, a dining hall, practice rooms, performance space, and plenty of room for recreation.

Community events funded in part by the Apostle Islands Area Community Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.